Item ST 40670 Indian Figure - Ghorawalla, Pune, Clay, circa 1867

Summary

Alternative Names: Poonah Figure, Poona Figure

This clay figure of a Ghorawalla was part of a series of 82 Indian clay figures purchased from Stubb and Co for £9.10 in 1867 by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). The group of figures, which came from Pune (Poonah), represented various castes, occupations and religious sects in India. The NGV Stock book records identify the figure as a 'Ghorawalla, or Groom, with Chowry(?)'.

Physical Description

Figure of a man on a wooden base. The base is painted brown turned wood. A paper label is glued to the edge of the base. The figure is plaster/composition modeled over wooden dowels, it is painted with a dark brown skin tone and is dressed in fabric. His garments consist of a blue tunic with a red sash around his waist, an underskirt of white with brown spots and white leggings. He wears a painted black and red hat and green, white and red pointed toe shoes.